Improvement in saddles



Mfnessay A s e I K fnvenforr,

N. PETERS, PHOTO-LTHDGRAPHEP WASHINGTUN D C UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

H. STOCKTON, OF NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND, AND W. S. SMOOT, OF WASH- INGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.t

IMPROVEMENT IN SADDLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 57,214, dated August 14, 1866.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that we, HOWARD SirooK'roN,

of Newport, county of Newport, and State of Rhode Island, and WILLIAM SIDNEY SMoo'r, of Washington, District of Columbia, have invented a new and Improved style of Gentlemans Riding-Saddle, of which the following is afull and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

Our invention consists in so forming the tree and covering the saddle as to enable ns to dispense with all fla-ps, girths, and padding, and at the same time make a handsomer, more durable, and more comfortable saddle.

To enable others to make and use our invention, we will describe it Inore explicit-ly.

Figures I. 2, and 3 show the saddle in different positions, which are readily understood withouti'urtherdescription. Thestirrup-leathers, being the same as those now in use, are omitted.

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 are sections through the tree at the points designated, and the portion shaded with red lines shows the difference between the tree we propose using and the present saddle-tree. By this it is seen that we have made the bottom more highly arched to fit the back of the horse, and raised it more from the backbone, while at the same time we preserve the same flat and comfortable seat for the rider, thus obtaining, in a great measure, the advantages of both the English and MeClellantI-ees. l

The style of covering we propose using is to cover the tree with fair-leather and bind the edges with sheet-brass, thereby preventing them from being rubbed or worn through,

and making a very neat finish.

The space between the side bars 7L h is left open to admit of the circulation of air and render the seat more comfortable generally, and we believe this open space, as well as the mode of covering described, to be in this combination entirely new. We do not, however, desire to limit ourselves as to the kind of leather or binding employed, as any of the leathers used for like purposes would answer for covering, and either leather or any of the other metals applicable would answer for binding.

The saddle-cloth designed to accompany the saddle may be made of cloth or felt, and lined, and has a piece of leather, c, Fig. 8, sewed on it, with loops d, through Awhich pass the horns of the saddle ct a. This leather serves the double purpose of protecting both horse and saddle-cloth from being rubbed, and also prevents the latter from slipping.

Fig. 4 shows the saddle on the back of a horse, and the surcingle, by which alone it is kept in place; but owing to the way in which the side bars, 7th, fit the horses back and the horns a a .press against the piece of leather c, without any yielding pads or stuffing being used, this surcingle is found all sufficient.

We will now describe our stirrup-leather attachment, which is designed to free the leather in case of the rider being thrown and the foot catching in the stirrup, and which we think is more to be relied on than anything of the kind now in use. Fig. 9 shows this arrangement separate from the saddle, to which it is to be attached by any of the modes now in use.

O o is a piece of metal cnt out in the form shown, and having at the rear end a slot out in it. In this slot and on the pin z works the bent piece or lever x a', which remains in the position shown by Fig. 9 so long as the stirrup hangs in its natural position or is pressed by the foot; but when the stirrup is pulled back the piece x m assumes the position shown by the red dotted lines, and the leatheris released. It is very obvious that this cannot occur except under the conditions named, and the joint may be made to work with any desired degree of tightness.

What we claim as our invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

l. A saddletree highly arched underneath, flat on top, open between the bars', and covered and bound substantially as herein described.

2. In combination with a saddle such as described, and without padding, a saddle-cloth having a leather re-enforce, c, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination, with the stirrup-loop, of a hinged locking and unlocking lever, :1: x, operated without a spring, substantially as set forth.

H. STOCKTON. W. S. SMOOT. Witnesses;

WM. R. BRADFORD, E. REYNOLDS. 

